LB Vontaze Burfict "committed" to returning to NFL
Feb
24
2/24/2020 8:48:10 AM
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Suspended linebacker Vontaze Burfict remains "committed" to returning to the NFL in 2020 according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The veteran linebacker seemed to be getting a fresh start on a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders in 2019 before being suspended for the final 12 games of the season due to a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle. He was quietly reinstated from the suspension last month and is now an unrestricted free agent. He has been reportedly working out at Arizona State and, according to his agent, has apparently spent the entire offseason "watching tape, talking to coaches, league executives, other experts about the proper code of conduct to stay in the league."
Of course, Burfict really just needs to look at his own game tapes to learn what not to do as the 12-game conduct suspension was not exactly his first rodeo. The long-time Bengals linebacker was suspended three games in 2016 for violating player safety rules, five games in 2017 for an egregious hit in the preseason, and four games in 2018 for use of a banned substance. He was reportedly well-liked by his teammates and coaches in both Cincy and Oakland and loves playing football but is an extremely poor risk for any team to sign at this point as his next illegal hit-and we all know there would be another illegal hit-might well get him a permanent ban from the league office. As he turns 30 years old in September and no longer plays at the high level he did in his heyday with the Bengals, his NFL career could well be over for good.
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